Belgrove 2 - 1 Avondale United

• Niall Farrell
• Sun, Jun 06 2010


Leinster Senior League side Belgrove ensured their progression to the fourth round of the FAI Cup with a confident 2-1 win over Avondale United at Whitehall tonight.

Right from the start, Belgrove asserted their dominance over the visitors from Cork. An attack mounted from the kickoff led to a counter from Avondale, but fruitful attacks were not to be found on the night for the Corkonians.

The home side strung together passes with ease and at times shifted the ball from flank to flank with remarkable ease for a non-league side. Belgrove opened the scoring after 24 minutes, as Karl O’Brien converted a penalty.

Keith Dawson threatened seconds earlier with a shot that rattled the woodwork, but Avondale failed to clear the ball afterwards and were punished. Conor Dowler picked up the loose ball and ran into the penalty area where he was brought down by Noel Hartigan.

Chances were few and far between for either side in the remaining minutes before half time, but Belgrove’s Stephen Dowling went close just before the break. After seeing Avondale ‘keeper Brendan O’Connell off his line, Dowling powered a shot towards the top left corner, but O’Connell produced a fine save to keep the score at 1-0.

Belgrove came out from half time in search of a second goal, and nearly got one on 51 minutes. A low cross darted across the Avondale penalty area, but it was just out of Keith Dawson’s reach.

One of the big talking points of the match came after 56 minutes when Belgrove had a goal ruled out for a handball. The ball was crossed to Keith Dawson, hit off his head and then appeared to hit off his hand before going over the line. Initially the referee awarded the goal, but upon consultation with the linesman it was disallowed. Dawson was subsequently yellow-carded for his complaints to the referee.

Belgrove didn’t have to wait much longer until got their second goal. On 58 minutes, sustained pressure led to Conor Dowler being afforded far too much space in the Avondale box, and Dowler duly volleyed the ball into the net.

Avondale did have a few chances, including a free volley just outside the box after 65 minutes that David Spratt should have done better with. On 82 minutes, Keith Dawson earned himself a second yellow for a harsh tackle, leaving Belgrove to play the rest of the match.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Avondale pulled one back. United were passing the ball well around the Belgrove penalty area, and a defensive lapse allowed Andrew Knowles in at the back post. Substitute Knowles smashed the ball into the goal, but it was to be too late for Avondale.

Belgrove: Alan Cosgrave; Andrew Murray, Karl O'Brien, David Andrews, James Duff, Chris Allen, Stephen Dowling (Darren Fitzpatrick '75), Barry Row, Keith Dawson, Conor Dowler (Paul Ryan '70), Chris Wisley.
Subs Not Used: Collum Whlean, David Pepper, Rory McGrath, Philip White, Paul Roxburgh.

Avondale United: Brendan O'Connell; Ken Bruton, Eoghan Lougheed, Andrew Goulding (Michael Doody '62), Noel Hartigan, John Cotter, Ken Murphy, Mark Horgan, Damien O'Connell (Andrew Knowles '55), David Spratt, Michael, Mulconry.
Subs Not Used: David O'Keeffe

Referee: Darren Carey (Dublin)
Attendance : Around 60 (estimate)
Extratime Man of the Match: Conor Dowler